By Tom Marshall

Puebla is the first team to make an in-season coaching change as Romano becomes the club's new manager.

Argentine Ruben Omar Romano has replaced Manuel Lapuente as manager of Puebla, in the first coaching change of the Liga MX Apertura 2013 season.

Lapuente immediately went on the offensive against club president Jesus Lopez Chargoy in an interview with ESPN, stating that the players he had at his disposal weren’t good enough for a playoff push.

United States international DaMarcus Beasley was decidedly unhappy with the news of Lapuente’s departure, sending a Tweet to his followers indicating as much.

“I’m disappointed that Lapuente decided to leave,” he wrote. “For me, he was a great trainer, one I’ll always remember.”

Incoming coach Romano has a mixed record, steering both Santos Laguna and Morelia to two Liga MX finals, but finishing runner-up on each occasion, and failing to produce at Club America, Cruz Azul and Atlas.

At Puebla, the Buenos Aires native said in his presentation Wednesday that the club – in danger of relegation – needs to take things game by game and to change its mentality.

“We have to look for a change, not of players, but of ideas,” remarked Romano, adding that for that to happen he needs the support of La Franja’s fans.

Puebla has yet to win in its first five games this Apertura season and sits in 13th position in the league table.